The Art Club Saint Helens
The Art Club Saint Helens was formed in 1924, ninety nine years ago. Initially, the annual subscription was one guinea; extremely expensive and prohibitive at the time. In 1927, the annual fee was reduced to two shillings. In 1943 Saint Helens Art Club held an exhibition in Port Sunlight, invited by the Lady Lever Art Gallery. The club’s reputation spread from there. Further exhibitions followed. The club recognised the need for exhibitions, holding an annual exhibition at the Manchester Art Gallery, among others. Members were selected after submitting works. Works shown in the Annual Exhibitions were also selected. Initially, the membership consisted of business owners and art tutors, but later, ordinary workers joined.
Nowadays the Art Club Saint Helens welcomes all adults with interests in producing visual art. While most members produce realistic art, some like to abstract their studies. Members often try different methods or mediums, (oils, watercolour, pastels, inks, pencils etc.,) and sometimes hold workshops with the group to try these out (usually great fun). There is no right or wrong, it is art.
For many years The Art Club Saint Helens resided in the Gamble Building, in the town centre. When the building closed, requiring structural work, we migrated to the World of Glass, in Chalon Way, Saint Helens, WA10 1BX. It is a beautiful, bright, relaxing building with a café, a lovely outside space and is disabled friendly. There is onsite parking, and it is handy for buses.
We are a friendly adult group, always willing to accept new members (no auditions). We love meeting new members, with new ideas. Working with others is very inspiring and there is always someone to advise.
The group decides themes for each week. We make art from still life, painting models, each other, using photos and sometimes outside. If someone dislikes the subject, they choose their own. There is no pressure. We have demonstrations and workshops, sometimes by group members, sometimes by guest demonstrators, and occasional trips out to venues decided by the members. We have joined Liverpool Urban Sketchers occasionally, sketching in and around the World of Glass.
We have exhibitions of our works annually, and whenever possible.
It is not necessary to “be able to draw”, there are many ways and styles of making marks and producing art.
We meet at the World of Glass on Saturday mornings, 10am-12am. Presently we work in the Sankey Suite, first floor, although we are sometimes in the Reflections suite, second floor. Reception staff at the entrance can advise.
- 8th April: Favourite landscape
- 15th April: Sport
- 22nd April: Still life from kitchen cupboard i.e. packets, tins (bring in your own). As Andy Warhol
- 29th April: Spring flowers
- 6th May: Coronation- past or present, or celebrations surrounding these
- 13th May: Reflections; in water, objects or even someone’s eye
- 20th May: Will now be gridding workshop (Tracey)
- 27th May: Will be wild animals
- 3rd Jun: visit to Lady Lever Art Gallery
- 10th June: Print workshop (Debi)
We would love to see you. Contact us by mobile, Peter: 07552 314900
Email: theartclubsainthelens@gmail.com
Fb: The Art Club Saint Helens
Or pop in and see us on Saturday mornings.
Members provide their own materials, but if you pop in ad hoc we could find you something to work with. We encourage artists to join us for two sessions free, to see if you would like to join us. Members pay £40 annual subscriptions, then £3 at each session attended.